Creating your own book can result in some common errors in the publishing process. This article will walk you through some of the common error messages and how to correct them.


One way to locate the information you are seeking is to Crtl+F (Command+F for Mac) in this article.  


Our Knowledge Base is filled with articles and resources to get you right back on track to publishing and sharing your work.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About Errors and Warnings

  • Errors are issues preventing you from completing an action, like publishing a project or placing an order.
  • Warnings are issues that may affect the ‌result of the action you want to complete, but they can be ignored, like getting an image resolution warning on an interior file.


Errors are more serious than warnings, and errors MUST be addressed (most times appear in RED). 


Warnings can be thought of more as suggestions (most times appear in ORANGE).

If you choose to ignore a warning, you are responsible for any imperfections or undesirable results.


Informational notices give you status updates (most times appear in PURPLE).


Note: If you need a visual aid of how to correct these errors and warnings, please refer to our Youtube page which has detailed tutorials.


Login Page

Invalid Username or Password


Message received: Invalid username or password.

Severity: Error

Meaning: Your email address and/or password are incorrect.

Necessary actions: Try logging into your account with the correct login information. If you do not remember your password, you can request a password reset on the login page.

Project Creation Tool: Start Step

Changing Product Type After Publishing Your Book



Message received: Product Type can't be updated after publishing your Book

Severity: Informational

Meaning: You cannot change your project’s product type once you have published your project.

Necessary actions: None

Changing Product Type After Ordering Proof Copy



Message received: Product Type can’t be updated after approving a proof copy

Severity: Informational

Meaning: You cannot change your project’s product type once you have approved a proof copy (for Global Distribution).

Necessary actions: None

Not Eligible for Global Distribution



Message received: Your Book is currently not eligible for Global Distribution. You can edit your selections on the Design step to enable this option.

Severity: Informational

Meaning: The product type, book size, and/or book specifications of your project are not eligible for our Global Distribution service. You will not be able to select the Global Distribution goal unless you select eligible specifications for your project. See our Global Distribution Eligible Products Guide for more information.

Necessary actions: None

Project Title



Message received: Project title is required

Severity: Error

Meaning: You did not enter a project title

Necessary actions: Enter a project title

Book Language


Message received: Language is required

Severity: Error

Meaning: You did not enter a book language

Necessary actions: Select a book language

Book Category



Message received: Category is required

Severity: Error

Meaning: You did not select a category

Necessary actions: Select a category

Title and Edition (Ebook Only)



Message received: Title entered does not match the title detected in the ebook file

Severity: Error

Meaning: For ebook projects in our Global Distribution program, it is required that the title entered in the Copyright step matches the title detected in the EPUB file.

Necessary actions: Either edit the title in the Copyright step to match the title in the EPUB file OR edit the title in the EPUB file to match the title in the Copyright step.

Contributors



Message received: At least one contributor is required to publish

Severity: Warning

Meaning: You must add at least one contributor (author, artist, translator, etc) to your project.

Necessary actions: Add at least one contributor to your project.

ISBN Required



Message received: ISBN required for Global Distribution

Severity: Warning

Meaning: You must assign an ISBN to your project if you’d like to sell your book through Global Distribution.

Necessary actions: Assign an ISBN to your project.

ISBN Not Required



Message received: If you are only selling your book on the Lulu Bookstore, an ISBN is not required. You can add an ISBN ‌if you decide later to sell your book through Global Distribution.

Severity: Informational

Meaning: It is optional to assign an ISBN to a project that is not in Global Distribution.

Necessary actions: None

ISBN Changes



Message received: ISBN can’t be updated after approving a proof copy.

Severity: Informational

Meaning: You cannot change your ISBN, imprint, or contact details once you have assigned an ISBN and published your project.

Necessary actions: None

ISBN Imprint



Message received: Imprint is already in use

Severity: Error

Meaning: An imprint is the publisher's name attached to your ISBN. The imprint you have submitted is already being used by a Lulu user in a different Lulu account. Imprints cannot be used across accounts.

Necessary actions: Type in a different imprint/publisher

ISBN In Use



Message received: ISBN is already in use

Severity: Error

Meaning: The ISBN you have submitted is already assigned to a different project. An ISBN cannot be assigned to more than one project.

Necessary actions: Assign an unused ISBN.

ISBN Format Incorrect



Message received: ISBN format is incorrect

Severity: Error

Meaning: The ISBN you have submitted is not a valid ISBN.

Necessary actions: Review the ISBN you have entered and make sure it is correct. If it is, reach out to the ISBN agency you purchased the ISBN from to let them know that it is invalid and to ask for a new, valid ISBN.

Full Imprint Contact Details



Message received: Full imprint contact details required

Severity: Error

Meaning: The imprint/publisher field and/or any of the contact information fields are incomplete. All the fields need to be completed to assign an ISBN to your project.

Necessary actions: Fill out the imprint/publisher and contact information fields.

Design Step

Book Size



Message received: Book Size: The book size you selected does not match the page size in the file you uploaded.

Severity: Error

Meaning: You uploaded an interior file with different dimensions than the original interior file you uploaded to the project.

Necessary actions: Either resize your interior file to match the dimensions of the original interior file uploaded to the project OR create a new project and upload your new interior file there if you want to change the project’s dimensions.

Unsupported Book Size



Message received: The PDF file you uploaded does not match the book sizes Lulu offers. Please update your PDF to a book size ‌we offer and upload the corrected file. 

Severity: Error

Meaning: The interior PDF file you have uploaded does not match one of the book sizes that we have available.

Necessary actions: Resize your interior PDF file to one of the book sizes ‌we offer. See our Products page to view all book sizes.

Product Type Mismatch



Message received: The uploaded file doesn't match the selected product type.

Severity: Error

Meaning: The interior file you uploaded has dimensions that are not eligible for the product type you’ve selected in the Start step.

Necessary actions: Resize your interior PDF file to a size that is eligible for the product type you’ve selected, OR select a different product type in the Start step.

Page Layout



Message received: Page Layout: The page size or orientation differs within your PDF. Please ensure that all pages are the same size and oriented the same way (Portrait or Landscape).

Severity: Error

Meaning: The interior PDF file you uploaded has pages of different dimensions and/or of different orientations, ex: landscape and portrait pages in the same file.

Necessary actions: Review your PDF file. Ensure that all pages in the file have the same dimensions. Ensure that all pages in the file are oriented the same way (all landscape or all portrait).

Embed Fonts



Message received: Some fonts are not embedded in your PDF. Don't worry, we will attempt to embed them for you after you select your specifications

Severity: Warning

Meaning: You did not embed one or more of your PDF file’s fonts.

Font embedding is the inclusion of font files inside an electronic document. A PDF with embedded fonts is required to upload to ensure that the text prints properly. Lulu’s project creator will try to embed your file’s fonts for you.

Necessary actions: Review the print-ready file created from your file to make sure your fonts look how you expect them to. If some fonts look wrong, you will need to embed your file’s fonts, and then upload it again. If you are using Microsoft Word to create your file, see this article. If you have created your PDF using an Adobe product, see this article.

Font Size



Message received: Font Size: Some of your fonts are less than 5 pt. That's pretty small. We recommend all fonts be 8 pt or more.

Severity: Warning

Meaning: The file you uploaded has a very small font size that may not be legible when printed.

Necessary actions: None

Upload Error



Message received: Upload Error: We detected an error in your PDF. These could include: • Pages of Different sizes • Fonts need to be embedded • Corrupted Images. If you continue to have problems uploading your PDF, please contact Lulu Support for assistance.

Severity: Error

Meaning: The file that you uploaded has pages of different sizes, unembedded fonts, and/or corrupted images.

Necessary actions: Review your file to check for the above possible issues. If you are unable to find the problem with your file, please submit a support ticket so that an agent can assist.

Transparency



Message received: Transparency: We detected an element that may be transparent within your file. We strongly recommend flattening or removing any transparencies in your file.

Severity: Warning

Meaning: You uploaded a file with several layers and transparencies within the PDF.

Necessary actions: None

Image Resolution



Message received: Images: Your file contains images with a resolution less than 200 pixels per inch. Lulu suggests using images with a pixel-per-inch range of 200-600 for the best results.

Severity: Warning

Meaning: We detected low-resolution images in your file that may cause lower print quality.

Necessary actions: None

Ink Coverage (Error)



Message received: Ink Coverage: Your file contains inks with high ink coverage requirements. Using Standard print for content with high ink coverage requirements may result in poor print quality. Please select Premium print or adjust your file to include lower ink coverage.

Severity: Error

Meaning: The interior PDF file you uploaded requires one of our Premium interior color options

Necessary actions: Select either Premium Black & White or Premium Color as your book’s interior color type

Ink Coverage (Warning)


Message received: Ink Coverage: A unique spot color appears in your file. This color will be converted to CMYK for printing and may result in a variation from the color you see in your file. We recommend using sRGB or CMYK for all colors in your file.

Severity: Warning

Meaning: Our production facilities use sRGB and CMYK as the color space when printing a product. There is a color in your uploaded file that does not exist in the CMYK color space. It may not look exactly as you want it to due to this.

Necessary actions: None

Page Count Not Eligible for Distribution



Message received: The Page Count of the file you uploaded is not available for Global Distribution. To proceed with this project, you can upload a different file or unselect Global Distribution as a Sales Goal on the Start step.

Severity: Error

Meaning: You have selected Global Distribution as a goal in the Start step of the project, but the interior file you uploaded has fewer pages than required for the Paperback, Hardcover, or Linen Wrap binding types, which are the only bindings eligible for Global Distribution.

Necessary actions: Either add more pages to your interior file so that it is eligible for Global Distribution OR remove the Global Distribution goal in the Start step of the project

Uploaded Cover Size



Message received: Book Size: Your PDF dimensions are {width}” x {height}”

For the book size you selected, the PDF dimensions need to be within {X1}"-{X2}" x {Y1}"-{Y2}". Please update your PDF dimensions or select a different book size.

Severity: Error

Meaning: The cover PDF file you uploaded does not match the required cover file dimensions for your project.

Necessary actions: Resize your cover PDF file to match the dimensions listed under the “Requirements” area of the “Upload Cover File” section of the Design step.

Uploaded Cover Page Count



Message received: Page Count: We found more than 1 page in your file. For a cover file, you must upload a PDF with a single page for the front, spine, and back cover.

Severity: Error

Meaning: The cover PDF file you uploaded has more than 1 page. The cover PDF file must only have one page (for non-comic books/magazine products).

Necessary actions: Remove the excess pages of your PDF file. Possibly redesign your cover so that it includes the front cover, spine, and back cover on one page.

Full Bleed


Message received: Full Bleed: Please note that a white Bleed margin has been added to your interior file. The book preview will show how this Bleed margin impacts your file. If you require image content that extends to the trimmed edge of the page, please upload a PDF prepared for Full Bleed.

Severity: Warning

Meaning: The cover file you uploaded does not include full bleed dimensions. We added bleed dimensions to your print-ready file. For more information about bleed, please read What is Full Bleed?

Necessary actions: None

Details Step

Description Required



Message received: Description is required to publish

Severity: Error

Meaning: A description is required to publish a book to the Lulu Bookstore or in Global Distribution.

Necessary actions: Add a description in the field.

Category Required



Message received: Category is required

Severity: Error

Meaning: A bookstore category is required to publish a book to the Lulu Bookstore or in Global Distribution.

Necessary actions: Select a bookstore category from the dropdown menu.

BISAC Main Category Required



Message received: At least one BISAC category is required

Severity: Error

Meaning: A BISAC category is required to publish a book to the Lulu Bookstore or in Global Distribution. See this article for more information about BISAC.

Necessary actions: Select a BISAC category from the dropdown menu.

Keyword Required



Message received: Please add at least one Keyword

Severity: Error

Meaning: At least one keyword is required to publish a book to the Lulu Bookstore or in Global Distribution.

Necessary actions: Type a keyword in the field. Add a comma to the end of the keyword to add it to your project.

Pricing & Payees Step

Design Step Incomplete



Message received: The Design step needs to be completed before setting the prices.

Severity: Warning

Meaning: The minimum price of your project depends on its book specifications. Your book specifications have not been selected in the Design step.  

Necessary actions: Go to the Design step and select your book specifications in order to generate your book’s minimum price.

Price Too Low



Message received: Price too low

Severity: Error

Meaning: The price you have inputted is below the minimum price for your project. The price you set needs to be at least the minimum price.

Necessary actions: Change the price so that it is at least the minimum price.

Review Step

Ebook Errors Detected



Message received: The title/contributor/ISBN detected within the ebook file does not match the title/contributor/ISBN you entered in the Copyright step. Please update the Copyright step or upload a corrected file to continue.

Severity: Error

Meaning: The title, contributor, and/or ISBN that you entered in the Copyright step does not match the title, contributor, and/or ISBN detected in the EPUB file you uploaded. For ebook projects in our Global Distribution program, it is required that the title, contributor, and ISBN entered in the Copyright step match the title, contributor, and ISBN detected in the EPUB file.

Necessary actions: Either change the title, contributor, and/or ISBN in the Copyright step so that the information matches what is in your EPUB file OR revise the title, contributor, and/or ISBN in the EPUB file so that the information matches what is in the Copyright step.

My Projects Page

Proof Copy Purchase



Message received: Purchase a copy to review and approve for distribution

Severity: Warning

Meaning: You have selected Global Distribution as a goal for your project. In order to send your project to retail channels, you must first purchase a proof copy and approve it.

Necessary actions: Purchase a proof copy of your book and approve it to complete the Global Distribution process.

Checkout Page

Invalid Zip Code



Message received: Invalid postal code format

Severity: Error

Meaning: The Zip code you have entered for your shipping address is not a valid zip code for your selected country.

Necessary actions: Review the Zip code you typed and/or the country you selected and correct them if necessary.

Invalid Discount Code


Message received: Discount code is invalid

Severity: Error

Meaning: The coupon code you have entered is not a valid coupon code.

Necessary actions: Review the code you typed to make sure that you typed it in correctly (no lowercase letters, no spaces, etc). If your coupon code is still not accepted, please reach out to customer support before placing the order.

No Items Qualify for a Discount


Message received: No items in your cart qualify for this discount code

Severity: Error

Meaning: The product(s) you are ordering is not eligible for the coupon code you have entered.

Necessary actions: Review the product(s) you are ordering to make sure that it is eligible for the coupon code you are trying to use. If it is not, you will be unable to apply the coupon to the order.

Payment Details Couldn’t Be Verified


Message received: Enter a valid card number

Severity: Error

Meaning: The credit card information you entered is incorrect and does not match the records that your bank or credit card company has on file.

Necessary actions: Review the credit card information you entered and correct any mistakes. If there are no mistakes, please reach out to your bank or credit card company for information on why they are blocking the transaction.

Bookstore

Explicit Content



Message received: The product(s) you're viewing was marked as explicit by the creator.

Please verify your age to continue.

Severity: Informational

Meaning: To view explicit products in our Bookstore, you must verify that you are over the age of 18 and can view explicit content.

Necessary actions: Select your birthdate from the dropdown.